October 1 2026
Lots of Water and Ripples
by Ed Rosequist
Wow…..what a great talk by Mark Anthony Lord this past Sunday. It sure makes one of the Unity Renaissance Board Treasurers happy to hear this talk about money and our consciousness in such an open and deliberate manner. From the talk, I want to clarify that there is an unlimited supply within our consciousness at Unity Renaissance – we know this to be true. We also generate a yearly Unity Renaissance budget and strive to ensure the money is flowing both in and out of our bank accounts- a good thing. This is why we have started the Consecration Sunday process – we are asking the questions of the Unity Renaissance family to define the financial prosperity for the next year. Not to assess the “lack” but to address the “possibility”. The Unity Renaissance Board and staff then will use your projections of gifting to generate the budget. This is part of our assessment of the financial health of the community, aligning this income to the expenses – programs and ministries – to appropriate those funds throughout the year to serve you, the congregation. We project our potential for the upcoming year and set a budget to invest in you……our most valuable commodity. This is our commitment - to “transform lives to transform the world”. It is all about one person, one life, at each moment, of each day, using the “treasure” that comes to us to make a difference. Thank you.
Over the past month, Rev Rene has been speaking about water - the ripples and waves we are making within the world we live. This gets my interest…..for as many of you know, I love to sail on the Chesapeake Bay – there is plenty of water and ripples to be had out on the bay. I have been sailing boats since I was 11 years old. I have graduated from an 11 foot, single sail, no motor, Penguin class sailboat, to my current 34 foot Catalina, 6 ton, inboard diesel motor, two sailed sloop – a big difference in size and weight. However, the basics of sailing do not change, aligning the sail to optimize the wind and the course being set. No matter the size or shape, single hull or catamaran, the physics of wind and environmentals drive the boat to a destination – it may take some time, and for me, it’s always good.
However, before I ever set sail, I am always preparing for the outing. I check the weather, the winds and the tidal movement. I “pre-flight” the boat (after flying Naval aircraft for 28 years, I still use the lingo); check the engine, steering and electronics, along with ensuring all my safety equipment is ready. These preparations make me confident that the bay sail will be accomplished with a sense of ease and security.
As we end 2026 and move into an exciting 2027, your Unity Renaissance Board of Trustees is working through the same kind of “pre-flight” checks – assessing the staff, looking at the facility and aligning the budget to meet the congregational desires. The results of Consecration Sunday provide the Board a great gauge to address our financial support – as always, thank you for your devoted gifts and willingness to stretch a little. Your gifts go to the day-to-day operations at Unity Renaissance. The majority of these funds go right back into the community in the form of ministerial and staff pay, along with utilities and administrative expenses. Each and every gift and donation makes a difference for the execution of the daily routine at Unity Renaissance. Unlike large, nation-wide philanthropic organizations, Unity Renaissance does not have the ability to reach out to solicit corporations to meet shortfalls in income – we depend on you, the congregation and the income we make on rentals with the facility. You are the allowing the Unity “boat” to float and move forward meeting the goals of “peace, love and joy” throughout our Unity family, our community and the world.
As our founding minister, Rev Judi Meyer, would say, “we are keeping the doors open, and the lights on!” Unity Renaissance is doing that every day, and every week of the year. I hope you are feeling the positive consciousness each time you enter the front door – I always have that sense, along with seeing this place as my spiritual home. I want to ensure it is on Eden Way North for all those other souls – just like me, allowing them to find God in themselves (and within everyone) – for the next generation and beyond. You are making financial contributions to ensure that Unity Renaissance is setting the right course……best wishes to all, Ed Rosequist